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Hatsubai « High output EMG rivals »
Published on 04/17/11 at 18:43They Seymour Duncan AHB-1 Blackout pickups are Duncan’s attempt to rival the famous EMGs that have been so well known throughout the metal community as the #1 pickups out there. Just like the EMGs, these feature the same style black cover, quick disconnects, use special pots and the such. They’re truly EMG clones.
The Blackouts come in both neck and bridge varieties. This review should hopefully cover both for you. First off is the bridge – The bridge model is an extremely high output and aggressive sounding pickup. It’s like a cross between the EMG 81’s aggression and the EMG 85’s fatness. They’re fat enough to where they deliver huge bass, but they’re aggressive enough to where they cut through the mix without any problems at all. They’re fairly scooped sounding, but that’s mainly because the bass and treble are increased more so than the midrange being actually pushed back.
The neck model is like a much hotter and more aggressive EMG 85. It’s extremely fat sounding, but it also has some bite to it to help it remain clear sounding under high gain. This helps quite a bit when doing fast note soloing.
Just like EMGs, I’m not a huge fan of the clean tones. Mid gain tones aren’t too bad, but most people who try these are looking at the high gain tones, and they deliver pretty good. Given that they’re active pickups, they’re very quiet sounding, and when under high gain, that’s a big must. However, I can’t help but feel these things have way too much output and too much bass. Every time I go to record with them, I keep thinking to myself that the EMGs just sound better. I’ve tried these in various woods with the same result.
If you’re a fan of EMGs, you probably won’t like these pickups as much. However, if you always thought EMGs were thin sounding and not delivering the tones you’re looking for, the Blackouts are worth checking out.
The Blackouts come in both neck and bridge varieties. This review should hopefully cover both for you. First off is the bridge – The bridge model is an extremely high output and aggressive sounding pickup. It’s like a cross between the EMG 81’s aggression and the EMG 85’s fatness. They’re fat enough to where they deliver huge bass, but they’re aggressive enough to where they cut through the mix without any problems at all. They’re fairly scooped sounding, but that’s mainly because the bass and treble are increased more so than the midrange being actually pushed back.
The neck model is like a much hotter and more aggressive EMG 85. It’s extremely fat sounding, but it also has some bite to it to help it remain clear sounding under high gain. This helps quite a bit when doing fast note soloing.
Just like EMGs, I’m not a huge fan of the clean tones. Mid gain tones aren’t too bad, but most people who try these are looking at the high gain tones, and they deliver pretty good. Given that they’re active pickups, they’re very quiet sounding, and when under high gain, that’s a big must. However, I can’t help but feel these things have way too much output and too much bass. Every time I go to record with them, I keep thinking to myself that the EMGs just sound better. I’ve tried these in various woods with the same result.
If you’re a fan of EMGs, you probably won’t like these pickups as much. However, if you always thought EMGs were thin sounding and not delivering the tones you’re looking for, the Blackouts are worth checking out.